Florida Plans Eliminate All Childhood Vaccine Mandates

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo have announced plans to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates in the state, describing existing requirements as an 'immoral' violation of personal rights. Ladapo characterized vaccine mandates as akin to 'slavery' and emphasized that parents should have the freedom to make informed health decisions for their children without government interference. The initiative includes the creation of a state-level 'Make America Healthy Again' commission, modeled after a federal effort led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aimed at promoting health reforms and reducing regulatory burdens. Florida currently mandates vaccinations for diseases such as measles, chickenpox, hepatitis B, and polio for school attendance, but the new policy would eliminate these requirements, pending legislative approval for some mandates. This move is unprecedented in the U.S. and comes amid concerns over declining vaccination rates and rising cases of diseases like measles nationally. DeSantis highlighted Florida's leadership in resisting COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and the commission, chaired by First Lady Casey DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, will further focus on empowering Floridians and promoting healthy living.